In the Diocese of Chelmsford we have adopted the suite of Policy and Practice Guidance provided by the National Safeguarding Team for the Church of England.
All previous Diocesan Policy/Policy Manual documents have now been replaced with the NST Policy and Practice Guidance
Click here to access National Safeguarding Team Policy and Practice Guidance
Please note under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 all authorised clergy, bishops, archdeacons, licensed readers and lay workers, churchwardens and PCCs must have 'due regard' to safeguarding guidance issued by the House of Bishops (this will include both policy and practice guidance). A duty to have 'due regard' to guidance means that the person under the duty is not free to disregard it but is required to follow it unless there are cogent reasons for not doing so. ('Cogent' for this purpose means clear, logical and convincing.) Failure by clergy to comply with the duty imposed by the 2016 Measure may result in disciplinary action.
Click on a link below to take you to the relevant section
- Safeguarding and Digital Communications - NEW guidance added
- Diocese of Chelmsford Statements
- Safeguarding Policies & Statements
- Safer Practice Guidance & Information/Fact Sheets
- Safer Recruitment
- Safer Practice Templates & Resources
- Types/Signs & Symptoms of Abuse
- Recording & Responding to Safeguarding Allegations or Concerns
- Theology & Safeguarding
For information about Past Cases Review 2, click here
Safeguarding and Digital Communications
As more of us are now using digital and video communications in our ministry it is important that we are aware of the safeguarding implications and following best practice. Please ensure you are familiar with the following guidance and share it with those in your parish who organise online meetings or worship activity.
- Advice on Safeguarding during the Coronavirus Pandemic
- Advice for using video conferencing for youth work during Covid-19
- Using Zoom for video meetings with young people
- Keeping children safe online
- Filming and photography in churches – consent and GDPR | The Church of England
GDPR and permissions for adults
Those appearing in video or photographs will need to have given you their permission. A photo release form can be signed by adults. The form must include all the places that the photo or video may be used by the church.
The template photo release form can be downloaded here.
GDPR and permissions for children
Videos containing children may be used by the church if consent has been given by their parent or guardian. This needs to be signed consent and should include the places which the photo or video may be used by the church. If permission has not been given, it can be helpful to identify these children by using a simple paper wristband, or by asking them to sit in a photo and video free zone. Practically, seeking permission may need a few extra helpers on the day, working from a safe social distance. Alternatively, prepare ahead by sending out the forms to your church newsletter list to avoid queues on the day.
More information can be found under the 'Video and Livestreaming' section
Diocese of Chelmsford Statements
- Diocese of Chelmsford The Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Policy Statement
- Diocese of Chelmsford Domestic Abuse Statement
Safeguarding Policies & Statements:
- Church of England Statement of safeguarding principles
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Church of England Promoting a Safer Church; House of Bishops policy statement (2017)
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Church of England Promoting a Safe Church (safeguarding policy for adults, 2006)
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Church of England Policy Statements
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Church of England Parish statement on domestic abuse
Safer Practice Guidance & Information/Fact Sheets:
- Church of England Parish Safeguarding Handbook
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Church of England Glossary reference document (2017)
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Church of England Responding well to domestic abuse practice guidance (2017)
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Church of England Training and development practice guidance (2017)
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Church of England Safer recruitment practice guidance (2016)
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Church of England Safeguarding in religious communities practice guidance (2015)
- Church of England Fact Sheet - Sexting (youth produced sexual imagery)
- Church of England Domestic abuse fact sheet
- Church of England Domestic abuse disclosure flowchart PDF / WORD Doc
- Church of England Responding well to domestic abuse: The Legal Context
- Church of England Responding well to domestic abuse: Theology
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Church of England Eligibility for an enhanced criminal records check
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Church of England Roles eligible for a criminal records check
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Church of England DBS eligibility FAQs (February 2017)
- NSPCC Recommended adult to child ratios for working with children
- Diocese of Chelmsford Risk Assessment Guidance – church activities information sheet
- Church of England Safeguarding records: joint practice guidance for the Church of England and the Methodist Church (2015)
- Church of England Safeguarding joint practice guidance for single congregation Local Ecumenical Partnerships (2015)
Safer Recruitment:
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Church of England Safer recruiting in the parish
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Church of England Model volunteer job role
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Church of England Application form template
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Church of England Reference form template
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Church of England Model interview discussion template
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Church of England Confidential Declaration Form
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Church of England Letter of appointment template
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Church of England Safer recruitment practice guidance (2016)
Safer Practice Templates & Resources:
- Church of England Templates & Resources
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Church of England Model volunteer job role
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Church of England Model parish safeguarding officer role description
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Church of England Application form template
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Church of England Reference form template
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Church of England Model interview discussion template
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Church of England Confidential Declaration Form
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Church of England Letter of appointment template
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Church of England Model Consent Form - Transport
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Church of England Model Activity Risk Assessment Template
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Church of England Model Parish Recording Template
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Church of England Model Parish Safeguarding Checklist
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Church of England Model Parish Safeguarding Policy
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Church of England Parish statement on domestic abuse
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Church of England Model Personal Risk Assessment tool
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Church of England Model Registration Form - Activities and Trips
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Church of England Model Risk Assessment Checklist for Home Visiting
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Church of England Model Volunteer Driver Agreement
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Church of England Promoting a Safer Church poster for parishes
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Church of England Safeguarding in your parish - who's who?
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Church of England Resources on domestic abuse
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Church of England Record Centre: Safeguarding Records - Retention
Types/Signs & Symptoms of Abuse:
- Church of England Types of Abuse – Fact Sheet
Recording & Responding to Safeguarding Allegations or Concerns:
- Church of England What to do if...
- Church of England Model Parish Recording Template
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Church of England Responding well to domestic abuse practice guidance (2017)
- Church of England Domestic abuse disclosure flowchart PDF / WORD Doc
- Church of England Resources on domestic abuse
- Church of England Responding well to domestic abuse:Confidentiality and data protection
- Church of England Responding well to domestic abuse: The Legal Context
- Church of England Responding well to domestic abuse: Theology
- Church of England Record Centre: Safeguarding Records - Retention
Theology & Safeguarding:
A resource to help local churches do some theological thinking around safeguarding has been published today (30th June 2016) by the Faith and Order Commission (FAOC). The text is meant to be read as a specifically theological resource alongside safeguarding policy and guidance documents from the local diocese and the national church.
- The Gospel, Sexual Abuse and the Church: A theological resource for the local church is available online via www.churchofengland.org/media/2535755/theologicalresourcefaocweb.pdf and is also available to pre-order as a book from Church House Publishing (Price £5.99, ISBN 978 0 7151 1109 3) via www.chpublishing.co.uk.
- Further information on the Faith and Order Commission, FAOC www.churchofengland.org/about-us/work-other-churches/faith-and-order-commission.aspx
- Further background on safeguarding in the Church of England www.churchofengland.org/clergy-office-holders/safeguarding-children-vulnerable-adults.aspx
For more information please contact Laura Tyler
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